Rolling soil probe

ABSTRACT

A rolling soil probe which may be pulled by a tractor or a truck or mounted on a trailer. The rolling soil probe includes a rotatable square wheel having four sides, each of which has a soil probe extending outwardly therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a soil probe and more particularly relates toa rolling soil probe for sampling soil. Even more particularly, thisinvention relates to a rolling soil probe having a rolling square wheelwith a soil probe positioned on each of the four flat sides of thesquare wheel and which extend therefrom.

Description of the Related Art

Soil samplers or soil probes are commonly used to extract a soil core orplug from the ground for analysis. Many soil sampling devices have beenpreviously provided with those devices ranging from hand-held probes tolarge soil sampling machines. Most of the soil sampling devices on themarket are very expensive, difficult to use, difficult to maintain, andcostly to repair, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects oressential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summaryis not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

A rolling soil probe is disclosed for pulling soil samples from theground as the rolling soil probe is rolled over the ground to besampled. In one embodiment, the rolling soil probe is mounted to the3-point hitch at the rear end of a tractor. In a second embodiment, therolling soil probe is mounted at the rear end of a truck. In a thirdembodiment, the rolling soil probe is mounted on a trailer.

In each of the embodiments, the rolling soil probe includes a framemeans having a vertically disposed square wheel rotatably mountedtherein about a horizontally disposed and transversely extending hub andspindle assembly. The square wheel includes a vertically disposed squareplate having first, second, third and fourth side edges. The squareplate is secured to the hub and spindle assembly for rotation therewith.Plates are secured to the first, second, third and fourth side edges ofthe square plate respectively. Each of the first, second, third andfourth support plates have a central opening formed therein. Anelongated and hollow soil probe, having inner and outer ends, is securedto each of the first, second, third and fourth support plates so thatthe inner end of the said probe is in communication with the centralopening of the respective support plate and so that the soil probeextends transversely outwardly from the respective support plate. Eachof the soil probes has a hollow tip secured to the outer end thereof.Each of the tips have an opening outer end having a diameter which isless than the inner diameter of the body portion of the soil probe.

As the rolling soil probe is rolled along the ground, the lowermost soilprobe punches into the ground at a right angle to the ground so that asoil sample is received within the soil probe. When the filled soilprobe is at the upper end of the rolling soil probe, the soil samplewithin the soil probe, drops downwardly from the inner end of the soilprobe into a soil sample collection container.

When the rolling soil probe is rolled along the ground, it is freefloating and does not have any downward pressure exerted thereon by thehitches. The various hitches allow the rolling soil probe to be raisedto a transport portion. The hitches do allow the rolling soil probe topivot about a vertical axis so that the rolling soil probe may be pulledin a circular fashion.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide animproved soil sampler probe apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rolling soil probe forobtaining soil samples.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rolling soil probewhich includes a square wheel having four sides with each of the sideshaving a soil probe extending therefrom.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rolling soil probewhich may be moved in a circular manner.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a rolling soil probewhich may be mounted on a trailer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a soil probeincluding a hollow body portion having a tip at the outer end thereofwhich has an internal diameter which is less than the diameter of thehollow body portion of the soil probe.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rolling soil probewhich is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined inappearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the rolling soil probe assembly ofthis invention mounted on the rear end of a tractor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rolling soil probe assembly of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the rolling soil probe assembly mounted on therear end of a tractor with the rolling soil probe assembly being in anelevated position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the rolling soil probe assembly mounted on therear end of a tractor with the rolling soil probe assembly being in asoil engaging position;

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 4 except that the soil beingsampled is shown in section;

FIG. 6 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 except that the square wheel ofthe assembly has been rotated from the position of FIG. 5 to theposition of FIG. 6 and with one side of the square wheel beingpositioned on the soil and with one soil probe being inserted into theground;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the tip of one of the soil probes;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a soil probe inserted into thesoil and which illustrates a soil sample within the soil probe;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the rolling soil probe assembly as seenfrom the right side thereof;

FIG. 10 is a top elevational view of the rolling soil probe assembly;

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the rolling soil probe assembly;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the rolling soil probe assembly and whichhas been rotated 45 degrees from FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the rolling soil probeassembly and which illustrates the soil sample container having beenremoved from the square wheel thereof;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view illustrating the rolling soil probeassembly being secured to the rear end of a truck;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the rolling soil probe assemblybeing mounted on a trailer; and

FIG. 16 is an upper rear perspective view of the rolling soil probeassembly mounted on the trailer of FIG. 15 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to theaccompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way ofillustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments aredisclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of thepresent invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The rolling soil probe of this invention is designated by the referencenumeral 10. The rolling soil probe 10 of this invention is pulled behinda tractor 12 or a truck 13, etc. The rolling soil probe may also bemounted on a trailer as seen in FIGS. 15 and 16 . The drawingsillustrate a 3-point hitch 14 which is one form of the hitch at theforward end of the rolling soil probe 10. The hitch could be a drawbarhitch, etc. The hitch will be secured to the tractor, truck, etc. It ispreferred that the tractor, truck, etc., has means associated therewithto enable the rolling soil probe 10 to be raised from ground engagementto enable the rolling soil probe 10 to be moved from one location toanother.

The 3-point drawbar 14 which is shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 9-13 is designedto be attached to the conventional 3-point hitch 15 at the rear end ofthe tractor 12. The 3-point hitch 15 of the tractor 12 is verticallymovable by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders in conventionalfashion. The 3-point drawbar 14 includes a horizontally disposed andelongated first frame member 16 having ends 18 and 20 which have hitchplates 22 and 24 secured thereto respectively which extend forwardlytherefrom. Drawbar 14 includes a vertically disposed frame member 26having the lower end thereof secured to the center of frame member 16and which extends upwardly therefrom. Hitch plates 28 and 29 extendforwardly from the upper end of frame member 26. The 3-point drawbar 14is secured to the vehicle 3-point hitch where the 3-point drawbar 14 maybe raised and lowered with respect to the ground and tractor or thelike.

A rearwardly extending mounting bracket 30 is secured to frame member 16at end 18 thereof. A horizontally disposed and elongated frame member32, having a forward end 34 and a rearward end 36, has its forward end34 pivotally secured, about a vertical axis, to mounting bracket 30 bypivot pin 37. The pivotal movement of frame member 32, with respect toframe member 16, is limited by the pair of angle members 32′ and 32″secured to the forward end 34 of frame member 32. The numeral 38 refersto a horizontally disposed tubular support having an inner end 40 and anouter end 42. The inner end 40 of tubular support 38 is welded to therearward end 36 of frame member 32 so as to extend transversely andhorizontally from frame member 32. The numeral 44 refers to aconventional spindle and hub assembly. Assembly 44 includes ahorizontally disposed spindle or stub axle 46 and hub 48. The inner endof spindle 46 is inserted into the outer end of tubular support 38 andis welded or pinned thereto. The hub 48 is rotatably mounted on theouter end of spindle 46 in conventional fashion and includes a rotatabledisc-shaped mounting plate 50 having a plurality of radiallyspaced-apart bolt openings formed therein. A square wheel 54 is mountedon the mounting plate 50. Square wheel 54 includes a vertically disposedsquare plate 56 having edges 58, 60, 62 and 64. Plate 56 has a centralopening 66 formed therein which receives the outer end of hub 48. Plate56 has a plurality of radially spaced-apart bolt openings 68 formedtherein which register with the bolt openings 52 in mounting plate 50.Bolts 70 extend through the bolt openings 68 and 52 with nuts beingsecured thereto to secure plate 56 to hub 48. In some cases, themounting plate 50 will have stud bolts secured thereto which will bereceived by the bolt openings in plate 56.

Rectangular plates 74, 76, 78 and 80 have their inner edges secured toedges 58, 60, 62 and 64 of plate 56, respectively by welding or thelike, and extend transversely from plate 56. The ends of the plates 74,76, 78 and 80 are secured to the ends of adjacent plates by welding orthe like. Gussets 82 are employed as seen in the drawings to strengthenthe square wheel 54. As seen, the square plate 56 and the plates 74, 76,78 and 80 define four corners.

An elongated support plate 84 is secured to the tubular support 38 bybraces 86 and 88 for selectively removably supporting a container 90thereon. The forward end of brace 88 is welded to tubular support 38.The container 90 has an open upper end 91. Container 90 has a shortdischarge tube 92 which extends from the upper end of container 90.

Elongated and hollow soil probes 94, 96, 98 and 100 are secured toplates 74, 76, 78 and 80 respectively by any conventional means such aswelding or the like. Inasmuch as the soil probes 94, 96, 98 and 100 areidentical, only a single probe 94 will be described in detail. Probe 94includes an elongated and hollow body portion 102 having an inner end104 and an outer end 106. The inner end of body portion 102 communicateswith the interior of the square wheel 54. The outer end of the bodyportion 102 of probe 94 has a truncated conical-shaped tip 108 mountedtherein which has an open inner end 110 and an open outer end 112. Asseen, the open outer end 112 of tip 108 has a smaller diameter than theopen inner end 110 whereby soil samples 113 being driven into the tip108 will have a diameter which is less than the inside diameter of bodyportion 102.

Referring now to FIG. 14 , the truck 13 has a 3-point hitch 114 fixed tothe rear end thereof. The 3-point hitch 114 includes a pair ofhorizontally disposed and horizontally spaced-apart frame members 116which extend rearwardly from the tubular receiver 118 which is fixed tothe frame of the truck 13. A vertically disposed post 120 extendsupwardly from the receiver 118 and has a clevis or plate 122 fixed tothe upper end thereof. The 3-point hitch 114 is not vertically movableas is the 3-point hitch 15 or the tractor 12.

The hitch plates 24 and 22 of the drawbar 14 are pivotally secured,about a horizontal axis, to the rear ends of frame members 116 of hitch114 in the same manner as the hitch plates 24 and 22 are pivotallysecured to the 3-point hitch 15 on tractor 12. The pivotal connection ofthe hitch plates 24 and 22 to the frame members 116 enables the rollingsoil probe 10 to be selectively pivotally movable between the solid lineposition of FIG. 14 to the broken line position of FIG. 14 . The rollingsoil probe 10 is maintained in the broken line position of FIG. 14 byattaching the hinge plates 28 and 29 of frame member 26 to the clevis122 by bolt 124 to permit the rolling soil probe 10 to be transportedfrom one location to another location in a raised non-ground engagingposition as seen in the broken line position of FIG. 14 . When the bolt124 is removed, the rolling soil probe 10 is manually lowered to theground engaging position of FIG. 14 . In that position, the rolling soilprobe will engage the ground by the weight of the rolling soil probe 10.In other words, there is no downward pressure, other than the weight ofthe rolling soil probe, on the rolling soil probe 10. That is also truefor the embodiment of FIGS. 1-13 . In operation, when it is desired toobtain soil samples from a field or the like, the rolling soil probe 10is lowered until the rolling soil probe 10 rests upon the ground. Therolling soil probe 10 will normally be initially positioned on theground with one of the corners thereof being in engagement with theground such as seen in FIG. 4 . The 3-point hitch 15 will permit therolling soil probe 10 to freely float on the ground since the 3-pointhitch 15 will not be exerting any downward pressure on the rolling soilprobe 10. The weight of the rolling soil probe 10 will maintain therolling soil probe on the ground.

Assuming that the rolling soil probe 10 is in the position of FIGS. 4and 5 , the tractor 12 will be driven forwardly. The protruding cornersof the rolling soil probe 10 provide a lifting and dropping action toassist in pushing and pulling the soil probe into and out of the groundand dropping the soil cores into the sample collection container 90.There is a “slamming” effect when the rolling soil probe 10 is called toone of the flat sides of the square wheel 54 which not only drives thesoil probe 10 into the ground but which also dislodges the soil samplefrom the uppermost probe which falls into the collection containers 90.Gravity, slamming effect and the smaller diameter probe tip 108 removesthe soil sample from within the probe.

The pivotal connection of frame member 32 with respect to frame member18 about a pivot pin 37 enables the rolling soil probe 10 to be pulledin a circle around a desired sample point. In summary somewhat, there isonly one soil probe 10 in engagement with the ground at one time whichis due to the square wheel 54. The soil probes of this invention alsopenetrate the ground at a steeper angle than is possible in the roundwheel sampler devices.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate another way of mounting the rolling soilprobe 10 onto a wheeled vehicle such as a trailer 126. Trailer 126includes a frame 128 which is supported by wheels 130 and 132. Frame 128has a ball hitch 134 assembly at the forward end thereof for attachmentto a vehicle having a ball hitch at the rearward end thereof inconventional fashion. A pair of spaced-apart support plates 136 and 138are secured to frame 128 at one side thereof and a pair of spaced-apartplates 140 and 142 are secured to frame 128 and the other side thereof.

The rolling soil probe 10 is positioned in the opening 144 of frame 128of trailer 126 as illustrated in FIG. 16 . Hitch plate 22 of rollingsoil probe 10 is positioned between support plates 136 and 138 andpivotally secured thereto by pivot pin 146. Hitch plate 24 of rollingsoil probe 10 is positioned between the support plates 140 and 142 andpinned thereto. Thus, the forward end of the rolling soil probe 10 ispivotally secured to frame 128 so as to be movable between the upper andlower positions with respect to the trailer 126. The apparatus forpivotally moving the rolling soil probe 10 between upper and lowerpositions will now be described. A flexible cable 148 has its rearwardend secured to the upper end of frame member 26 by pin 150. The forwardend of cable 148 is fixed to hitch 134 at 152. The numeral 154 refers toan electric linear actuator of conventional design. The base 156 ofactuator 154 is secured to frame 128 at 158. The hitch 134 is preferablysupported by a vertically movable jack 160 of conventional design whenthe trailer 126 is not being towed. Thus, when the actuator 154 isextended, the cable 148 becomes taut and pulls the rolling soil probe 10to the upper position. When the actuator 154 is retracted, the rollingsoil probe 10 is allowed to pivotally move downwardly so that the squarewheel 54 is in contact with the ground so that the square wheel 54 willroll as the trailer 126 is towed forwardly. The functioning of therolling soil probe 10 of FIGS. 15 and 16 is the same as previouslydescribed.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of itsstated objectives.

Although the invention has been described in language that is specificto certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, thespecific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing theclaimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can bepracticed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

I claim:
 1. A rolling soil probe assembly, comprising: an elongated andhorizontally disposed frame member having a forward end and a rearwardend, the forward end of the frame member coupled to a drawbar so as toextend rearwardly therefrom; an elongated and horizontally disposedsupport member having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end ofthe support member coupled to the rearward end of the frame member so asto extend transversely therefrom; a horizontally disposed spindle andhub assembly having a spindle with an inner end and outer end and a hubcoupled to the outer end of the spindle, the hub configured to rotatewith respect to the spindle, the inner end of the spindle coupled to theouter end of the support member whereby the spindle extends outwardlyfrom the outer end of the support member; a wheel including: avertically disposed plate coupled to the hub, the plate having aplurality of edges, a plurality of rectangular plates each having afirst end, a second end, an inner end, and an outer end, the outer endof each rectangular plate coupled to a corresponding edge among theplurality of edges of the vertically disposed plate, the first end ofeach rectangular plate coupled to a second end of a first adjacentrectangular plate and the second end of each rectangular plate coupledto a first end of a second adjacent rectangular plate, each rectangularplate including a probe opening, and a plurality of elongated soilprobes corresponding to the plurality of rectangular plates, each soilprobe configured to receive a soil sample via an open upper end andconfigured to drop the soil sample via an open lower end; and a soilsample collection container coupled to the support member, the soilsample collection container located between the first and second ends ofthe plurality of rectangular plates, the soil sample collectioncontainer configured to receive a soil sample dropped from each soilprobe among the plurality of soil probes.
 2. The assembly of claim 1,further comprising a 3-point drawbar configured to couple to a 3-pointhitch of a vehicle, the 3-point drawbar having a forward side and arearward side.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the frame member ispivotably coupled to the 3-point drawbar, the frame member configured topivot about a vertical axis relative to the 3-point drawbar.
 4. Theassembly of claim 3, wherein the frame member further includes a set ofangle members coupled proximately to the forward end of the framemember, the set of angle members configured to limit pivotal movement ofthe frame member relative to the 3-point drawbar.
 5. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the 3-point drawbar is pivotably coupled to the 3-pointhitch.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each soil probe furthercomprises: an elongated hollow body portion with an open upper end andan open lower end, the open lower end coupled to a correspondingrectangular plate among the plurality of rectangular plates, the upperend in communication with the probe opening of the correspondingrectangular plate; and a hollow probe tip having an open upper end andan open lower end, the upper end of the probe in communication with theupper end of the elongated body portion.
 7. The assembly of claim 6,wherein the open end of the probe tip has an inside diameter that isless than the inside diameter of the body portion.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 6, wherein the hollow probe tip has a truncated conical-shapedtip.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more supportplates coupled to the support member, the soil sample collectioncontainer configured to selectively couple to the one or more supportplates.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the soil sample collectioncontainer further comprises a discharge tube.
 11. The assembly of claim1, further comprising a plurality of gussets, wherein each gusset iscoupled to a first rectangular plate and a second adjacent rectangularplate among the plurality of rectangular plates.
 12. A rolling soilprobe assembly, comprising: an elongated and horizontally disposed framemember having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of theframe member coupled to a drawbar so as to extend rearwardly therefrom;an elongated and horizontally disposed support member having an innerend and an outer end, the inner end of the support member coupled to therearward end of the frame member so as to extend transversely therefrom;a horizontally disposed spindle and hub assembly having a spindle withan inner end and outer end and a hub coupled to the outer end of thespindle, the hub configured to rotate with respect to the spindle, theinner end of the spindle coupled to the outer end of the support memberwhereby the spindle extends outwardly from the outer end of the supportmember; a wheel including: a vertically disposed plate having fouredges, the plate having a plurality of edges, a set of four rectangularplates each having a first end, a second end, an inner end, and an outerend, the outer end of each rectangular plate coupled to a correspondingedge among the four edges of the vertically disposed plate, the firstend of each rectangular plate coupled to a second end of a firstadjacent rectangular plate and the second end of each rectangular platecoupled to a first end of a second adjacent rectangular plate, eachrectangular plate including a probe opening, and a set of four elongatedsoil probes corresponding to the set of four rectangular plates, eachsoil probe configured to receive a soil sample via an open upper end andconfigured to drop the soil sample via an open lower end; and a soilsample collection container coupled to the support member, the soilsample collection container located between the first and second ends ofthe set of four rectangular plates, the soil sample collection containerconfigured to receive a soil sample dropped from each soil probe amongthe set of four soil probes.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, furthercomprising a 3-point drawbar configured to couple to a 3-point hitch ofa vehicle, the 3-point drawbar having a forward side and a rearwardside.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the 3-point drawbar ispivotably coupled to the 3-point hitch.
 15. The assembly of claim 13,wherein the frame member is pivotably coupled to the 3-point drawbar,the frame member configured to pivot about a vertical axis relative tothe 3-point drawbar.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the framemember further includes a set of angle members coupled proximately tothe forward end of the frame member, the set of angle members configuredto limit pivotal movement of the frame member relative to the 3-pointdrawbar.
 17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein each soil probe furthercomprises: an elongated hollow body portion with an open upper end andan open lower end, the open lower end coupled to a correspondingrectangular plate among the plurality of rectangular plates, the upperend in communication with the probe opening of the correspondingrectangular plate; and a hollow probe tip having an open upper end andan open lower end, the upper end of the probe in communication with theupper end of the elongated body portion.
 18. The assembly of claim 17,wherein the open end of the probe tip has an inside diameter that isless than the inside diameter of the body portion.
 19. The assembly ofclaim 12, further comprising one or more support plates coupled to thesupport member, the soil sample collection container configured toselectively couple to the one or more support plates.
 20. A rolling soilprobe assembly, comprising: a 3-point drawbar configured to couple to a3-point hitch of a vehicle, the 3-point drawbar having a forward sideand a rearward side, the 3-point drawbar configured to pivotably coupleto the 3-point hitch; an elongated and horizontally disposed framemember having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of theframe member pivotably coupled to a drawbar so as to extend rearwardlytherefrom, the frame member configured to pivot about a vertical axisrelative to the 3-point drawbar; an elongated and horizontally disposedsupport member having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end ofthe support member pivotably coupled to the rearward end of the framemember so as to extend transversely therefrom, the frame memberincluding a set of angle members coupled proximately to the forward endof the frame member, the set of angle members configured to limitpivotal movement of the frame member relative to the 3-point drawbar; ahorizontally disposed spindle and hub assembly having a spindle with aninner end and outer end and a hub coupled to the outer end of thespindle, the hub configured to rotate with respect to the spindle, theinner end of the spindle coupled to the outer end of the support memberwhereby the spindle extends outwardly from the outer end of the supportmember; a wheel including: a vertically disposed plate coupled to thehub, the plate having a plurality of edges, a plurality of rectangularplates each having a first end, a second end, an inner end, and an outerend, the outer end of each rectangular plate coupled to a correspondingedge among the plurality of edges of the vertically disposed plate, thefirst end of each rectangular plate coupled to a second end of a firstadjacent rectangular plate and the second end of each rectangular platecoupled to a first end of a second adjacent rectangular plate, eachrectangular plate including a probe opening, and a plurality ofelongated soil probes corresponding to the plurality of rectangularplates, each soil probe including: an elongated hollow body portion withan open upper end and an open lower end, the open lower end coupled to acorresponding rectangular plate among the plurality of rectangularplates, the upper end in communication with the probe opening of thecorresponding rectangular plate, a hollow probe tip having an open upperend and an open lower end, the upper end of the probe in communicationwith the upper end of the elongated body portion, the open end having aninside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the bodyportion, the hollow probe tip having a truncated conical-shaped tip, andthe probe tip and the body portion configured to receive a soil samplevia the open upper end and configured to drop the soil sample via theopen lower end; and a soil sample collection container coupled to thesupport member, the soil sample collection container located between thefirst and second ends of the plurality of rectangular plates, the soilsample collection container configured to receive a soil sample droppedfrom each soil probe among the plurality of soil probes, the soil samplecollection container having a discharge tube.